A house on East 40th Street that hasnít been lived in for several years has been declared a dangerous structure and must come down.

A dangerous structures hearing was held Wednesday for 188 E. 40th St. and 54 E. 14th St.

The home on the 14th Street has dangerous stairs in the front that must be replaced, said Cindy Osman, assistant director of Hollandís Community and Neighborhood Services Department. The steps are the wrong size and width apart, there is no railing and they were built without a permit, she said. They will have to be replaced or the city will fix them and charge the homeowner. The home is a rental and a property the city has had other issues with, Osman said.

The home on 40th Street, just west of Lincoln Avenue, has a big hole in the roof and has been vacant for several years, Osman said. The rental file was closed in 2007 but it could have been a few years before that it was lived in.

ďFor sure no one has lived there since 2008,Ē she said.

The owner owns the land surround and has not developed it since his plans for a gas station failed the Planning Commission a few years ago, Osman said. The area is zoned planned unit development so many different things could be built there.

The owner has until Jan. 2 to demolish the house. If it is not taken care of the issue will go to the Board of Appeals. If it is confirmed a dangerous structure the, the owner will have 21 days to demolish it or the city can then step in and do it, Osman said.